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Practical user information

Biosecurity in Fiordland

This section outlines the biosecurity issues in Fiordland. It explains what people using the marine environment can do to keep pests out of these special waters and off the pest-free islands within the area.

Marine biosecurity – what’s the problem?

The unique marine environment in Fiordland is vulnerable to the introduction and establishment of harmful marine pests and diseases.

Each year, hundreds of vessels enter the fiords for recreation or commercial purposes. These come from other regions of New Zealand and around the world. Each and every one of these vessels has the potential to bring in and deposit unwanted hitchhiking pests.

Bio-fouling, where pests attach themselves to vessel hulls, is one of the most significant means of pest species spreading from location to location. It would take, for example, just a few larvae of an exotic organism to be hidden in the fouling on a vessel and fall off within the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area, for a whole new population to establish. Marine pests can also travel to new destinations in ballast water in larger vessels.

Once established, marine pests can quickly spread in new locations, and can potentially have serious effects on marine habitats, food chains, fish stocks, recreational activities and commercial fishing activities.

Marine pests of concern already found in New Zealand

Below are some particular marine pests that are already established in New Zealand, and which MAF Biosecurity New Zealand wants kept out of Fiordland.

Styela clava

This ascidian, or sea squirt, was detected in Auckland and Lyttelton in 2005. It is known to be widespread throughout the Hauraki Gulf, in Lyttelton and in Northland. This organism can potentially compete with native fauna, particularly molluscs, for food. It appears in colonies as a leathery-skinned, tubular organism that can grow up to 16 cm long. It is easily transferred to new locations amongst biofouling on vessel hulls.

 

 

Undaria pinnatifida

This Asian seaweed is already growing in a number of New Zealand areas, including Southland waters. It can form dense forests in sheltered reef areas, and grows on any hard surface including reefs, ropes, wharf piles and vessel hulls.

Didemnum vexillum

A different sea squirt, Didemnum vexillum is present in the Bay of Plenty and in Marlborough and Nelson waters. It forms large colonies of yellowish, melted-wax-like mats that can droop from marine structures. Its appearance would be unsightly in a high-value ecological and tourism area such as Fiordland.

Marine pests of concern unwanted in New Zealand

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand maintains high border standards to prevent pests and diseases from entering the country.

There are six unwanted marine pests that are not known to be established in New Zealand. These particular pests have been registered as ‘unwanted’ and all sightings must be reported to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand under the Biosecurity Act 1993.

These six pests are:

There are many diseases of shellfish, fish, and other marine species that we are fortunate to not have in New Zealand. For example, the disease abalone viral ganglioneuritis (AVG) is a virus present in Australia which could seriously affect paua populations here if it was introduced. If you know anyone arriving from overseas to visit Fiordland, remind them that border standards, such as requiring wetsuits and dive gear to be dry, and a prohibition on importing raw abalone meat, are important to prevent this disease spreading.

If you are visiting Fiordland, particularly to dive, please keep watch for anything unusual you might see in the water. If you spot any of these known pests, or something else you consider unusual, please carefully note its location, and phone MAF Biosecurity New Zealand’s free phone as soon as possible: 0800 80 99 66.

How Fiordland users can help with marine biosecurity

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, the Fiordland Marine Guardians, and other government agencies are working to keep Fiordland free from marine pests. To do this, all visitors to the area need to help by following some simple biosecurity precautions.

What can recreational fishers do?

• Check and remove any marine debris such as weed from your gear when leaving one location.
• Rinse all gear thoroughly with fresh water between locations.

What can divers do?

• Remove all marine debris such as seaweeds from your gear when you finish a dive.
• Rinse and soak gear in fresh water. Preferably rinse with a wetsuit cleaning product.
• Allow to air dry for a few days where possible.

• Do not relocate live organisms between locations – while you may feel this is replenishing an area, you may accidentally be spreading pests or diseases that could have negative impacts on the new location.
• Report anything unusual: 0800 80 99 66.

What can vessel operators do?

If you own or operate a vessel and are about to visit the fiords, or are about to relocate marine equipment such as buoys or ropes, please:

• check your vessel’s hull before entering Fiordland and if it is fouled, clean it
• dispose of any debris removed from the hull on land (ie, prevent it getting back into the water)
• check, clean and thoroughly dry any mooring lines and buoys, kayaks and any other marine equipment before using them in Fiordland waters. If lines or buoys cannot be dried, disinfect them before coming into Fiordland waters from areas known to be affected with marine pests (such as Bluff and Stewart Island/Rakiura).

As well as helping keep the fiords free of pests, regular cleaning of your hull will enable your vessel to obtain maximum speed and reduce running costs.

How do I clean my vessel hull?

If self-cleaning, once your vessel is out of the water, dislodge all plants and animals and dispose of debris in a bin that will go to a land-based rubbish dump. It is really important this debris does not go back into the water.

You should thoroughly water blast and brush down the areas of the vessel that are normally under the waterline. Pay particular attention to:

• the earth plates, transducers, keels and stabilisers
• intakes and outlets
• propellers and shafts
• rudders, rudder recesses, rudder shafts and casings
• anchors, anchor chains and anchor wells.

Note: the Southland Coastal Plan prohibits the cleaning of vessel hulls within the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area.

Antifouling preparations

Using an antifouling paint correctly will stop foul building up on your vessel’s hull. Use a preparation that is suitable for the type of vessel and its use. Factors to be considered are the usual speed of travel, the amount of time your boat is kept at a mooring or berth, and the material composition of your hull. Follow the advice of the manufacturer and the supplying retailer.

Where can I clean my vessel hull before visiting Fiordland?

There are haul-out facilities and slipways at most of New Zealand’s marinas and at many harbours and ports. Marina operators will be able to advise you about cleaning facilities available in their region.

For a full list of marinas visit: www.nzmarinas.com

Island biosecurity in Fiordland

Fiordland has a number of pest-free islands that are of international significance. Some of these islands have never had rats or mice present and have therefore never suffered from the devastating impacts that rodents cause. Ensuring these islands remain pest free through good quarantine management is everyone’s responsibility.

Breaksea and Hawea Islands were among the first in the world to have rats eradicated. Secretary Island is currently the largest inshore island in New Zealand that is free from rodents and possums. Some of these islands are now home to rare species such as kakapo, South Island saddleback (tieke), South Island robin (kakaruai), yellowhead (mohua) and little spotted kiwi (kiwi pukupuku).

Breaksea Island is entry by permit only; however, there are numerous other islands where landings are permitted. Please ensure these islands remain pest free by not taking any plants and animals ashore when you land.

• If possible always have rodent baits or traps laid on your boat.
• Check all obvious hideaways (like dinghies, kayak hatches, coils of rope) for any unwanted stowaways before you set off .
• When your vessel is moored on the mainland, keep doors and hatches closed and screens over vents.
• Rodents can use mooring lines to board and leave vessels. On multi-day trips, use lines either adjacent to the mainland or to rodent-free islands, but not both.
• Seal all containers with tape and tie bags tightly to prevent any unwanted pests sneaking in.
• When loading and unloading, check packages and packs for signs of rodents (like droppings or gnaw marks), insects, or plant material (such as seeds).
• Remember you too can be a carrier – empty your pockets and clean your shoes to get rid of stray seeds before you arrive on any islands.
• Do not discard anything on or near islands (such as rubbish, used goods, plant material etc).
• Leave your pets to be looked after at home.
• Report any sightings of unwanted animal or plant pests on these islands to the Department of Conservation (see ‘Contact information’ at the back of this guide).

 

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